Baseball

Region XIX, NJCAA - Article III

Section A - Dates and Sites
The Region XIX Baseball Tournaments will be played the first and second weekends of May with the finals in both Division II and Division III being held the second weekend in May. Adjustments will be made to this schedule when District Playoffs necessitate. Tournament sites will be predetermined by Athletic Directors of Region XIX.

Section B - Eligibility and Format
  1. All teams must schedule all other teams in their division twice. For Div II, these two games must be as part of two seven inning games scheduled as a double header. Failure to do so will result in those teams not being seeded. Regular season Region XIX doubleheaders shall consist of two seven inning games for Div II and III. The NCAA mercy rule will be in effect for nine inning games. There will be no mercy rule for any seven (7) inning games involving a region XIX team. A seven (7) inning contracted double header game which is postponed will be made up as a single seven (7) inning game. Any non-divisional game may be 7 innings and again must be completed.
  2. Any College fielding a club team must follow all NJCAA, NCAA, and Region XIX regulations specifically including (but not limited to) that you must file the NJCAA Club Team form, pay region dues, report game results to your repective service bureau, adhere to uniform rules as per the sport operating code, follow ejection policies for coaches and players, as well as reporting of these ejections, follow the home game supervision requirements, and use game umpires under contracted officiating agreements with Region XIX.
  3. Every effort should be made to play all games within a school’s division. Scheduling priorities when there is no available open date should be:
      a. Region XIX division opponents.
      b. Region XIX opponents
      c. Other opponents
    All regional divisional games must be played. In the event a game is postponed, it should be rescheduled on a mutually agreeable date. In the event no such date exists, the game must be rescheduled at the next available date when both teams do not have a region divisional game scheduled. This includes canceling or rescheduling a non-regional divisional contest to allow a regional game within the division to be played. Failure by one team to adhere to this rule will count as a forfeit for seeding purposes. The region divisional team that was willing to play on this date receives a win for seeding purposes.
    In the event all avenues have been pursued to the satisfaction of the region director, a “no contest” shall be declared.
  4. Region XIX will follow the rules of the NCAA/NJCAA unless otherwise indicated. This includes following the NCAA Tie Game and Halted Game rule as stipulated in the NCAA rules for regular season games. (See 13, below, for tournament games).
  5. Any team that drops their program after the start of the season will have those game results, including regional and divisional games, that were played to that point count on overall records only.
  6. All completed schedules must be submitted to the service Bureau Director for your division by the winter region meeting. This schedule must also include a declaration as to whether or not an institution will play on Sundays and religious holidays. The master calendar must be distributed to member institutions no later than March 21st.
  7. Member colleges not complying with the dates and times for submitting entry forms and other pertinent information as requested by the Committee Chairperson will be reported to the Standard and Ethics Committee. The Entry Form for the Region XIX Baseball Tournament will be the approved NJCAA Baseball Roste Form.                                   
  8. For the purpose of establishing qualification for the region Tournament, colleges may not add new games or drop originally scheduled games 14 days prior to the published seeding meeting for their respective tournament, unless to make up for a region division game. Games previously scheduled but postponed may be rescheduled during this time period vs. the same opponent.
  9. Selection of teams: The top four teams in each division must participate in the Region Tournament. Any additional teams with a .500 winning percentage overall or in region divisional play may participate.  In the event of a tie in relation to the region division record to get the minimum number of four teams, all teams that are tied will then qualify for the tournament.
  10. All region gamed must be played. In the event a  region game is forfeited, it will count for qualification and seeding purposes. All other forfeits will not count for qualification purposes. Programs that “drop” during the regular season, see Region Bylaws Article VI Section F which states: “Any team that drops their program after the start of the season will have those game results, including regional divisional games that were played to that point count on overall records only.”
  11. A.) If two teams are tied: Head to head competition will be used to break a tie. If a tie still exists, the team with the higher winning percentage against teams seeded higher, in descending order, than the teams which are tied will get the higher seed. If a tie still exists, the team with the higher winning percentage against teams participating in the tournament will be the higher seed. If a tie still exists, a coin flip will be used to determine the higher seed. B.) If three or more teams are tied: Head to head competition among all the tied teams (as if they were in thier own division) will be used to break the tie. If this tie breaker defines one spot , but not all, the remaining teams head to head records will once again be compared, followed by the remaining teams records against the teams seeded higher in descending order, if a tie still exists, the team with the higher winning percentage against all teams competing in the tournament will receive the higher seed. If a tie still exists, a coin flip will be used to determine the higher seed.  (CLICK HERE TO SEE TIE BREAKER EXAMPLES)
  12. Where 8 teams or less are involved, the following format will be used: 1st round will be best 2 out of 3 for teams seeded 1-8. A double header will be played on Saturday at the site of the highest seed. Game time for the first game will be 12:00 p.m., game time for the second game will be one-half hour after the first game. If a 3rd game is necessary, to will be played Sunday at 12:00 p.m. at the site of the higher seed.
  13. Tournament games which are delayed because of rain, light failure, and so forth, will be resumed at the point of suspension regardless of the number of innings played. The second game played on the first day of play would be continued at the next day site if this particular game should have to be halted.
  14. All tournament games will be nine innings with the following exceptions: the ten-run rule and the eight-run rules as stated in the NJCAA Handbook are in effect. Teams can be eliminated by these rules except for the Championship Game(s).
  15. In the event that more than 8 teams apply for the Division III open tournament, the following process would be used. A “rattail” game would be played to qualify for one of the eight bracket spots.
    • #9 would play #8 at #1
    • #10 would play #7 at #2
    • #11 would play #6 at #3
    • #12 would play #5 at #4
    These games would be played at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday as part of a doubleheader. The highest seed will be the home team. Teams will share equally in the cost of umpires for the “rattail” game. The winner of this “rattail” will play a second game against one of the top four seeds one-half hour after the conclusion of the first game. The higher seeded team will be the home team.
    The second and third games of the best 2 out of 3 portion of the tournament will continue on Sunday at 12:00 p.m. at the same site with the third game, if necessary, being played one-half hour after the conclusion of Sunday’s first game. The higher seed will be the home team for all games in the best 2 out of 3 series if this format is used.
  16. If the double elimination tournament has not begun two days prior to the final play date listed in the NJCAA Handbook, the tournament shall become a single elimination tournament. Every effort will be made to conclude the tournament one day prior to the final play date listed in the NJCAA Handbook. Inclement weather may push the tournament to the final play date listed in the NJCAA Handbook. Should play not be concluded by the final play date, the highest  remaining seed of the final four teams in the tournament will advance to the national or district tournament (next level).
Section C - Fines and Penalties

Colleges not submitting required reports by the due time because of emergency closures (i.e. weather closure) will have 24 hours (next working day) from the due time and date to submit their report. If it is known that the institution will be closed on the reporting date, the report should be sent prior to the closing and before the due time. If at this time no report is received a fine of $50 will be assessed (invoice sent by service bureau director, sport committee chair or director operating the service with copy to respective region director (men or women). Payment to be sent to respective region director. If no payment is received by respective region director 5 days prior to the region tournament seeding meeting, this offense will be reported to the Region Standards and Ethics Committee.

 

Section D - Rules and Regulations

   1. Umpires for all tournament games will be assigned by the Tournament Director through the CBUAO.   

a. At least two (2) umpires will be assigned each tournament game and a site director will be assigned by selection committee.
b. At least three (3) umpires will be assigned to the championship game(s).
c. If less than the assigned number of officials arrives for a game the game will be played with available officials.
  1. The host college will provide the official scorer during the tournament.
  2. NCAA Baseball Rules and NJCAA Tournament Rules will be followed in the Region XIX Tournament. NJCAA Rules pertaining to double elimination guidelines will be used.
  3. Speed-up rules ARE NOT IN EFFECT DURING THE REGULAR SEASON. NJCAA speed up rules as stipulated in the NJCAA Handbook and Casebook will be followed beginning with the first game of the tournament.
  4. The host college will provide dressing facilities.
  5. Housing and meals will be the responsibility of each entrant.
  6. The tournament host sets the sites for games 1 and 2 of the Final Four (when two baseball fields are utilized).
  7. For the first round games, the host college will pay for officials.
  8. In Division II and III each team shall retain its seed throughout the tournament.
  9. The tournament host team shall have choice of dugout. If the host team is not competing the higher seed shall have choice of dugout.
  10. Whenever possible the host team, or co-host team, shall ply at their own field during the tournament for the ease of grounds keeping and handling emergency situations. If the hosts are playing each other, the game will be at the higher seed’s field. In all instance the higher seed will bat last.  
  11. The visiting team shall be provided the same opportunity as the home team for on field or batting cage batting practice. The following schedule shall be adhered to:
    a. Home team batting practice 90-60 minutes prior to game time
    b. Visiting team batting practice 60-30 minutes prior to game time
    c. Home team infield 30-20 minutes prior to game time
    d. Visiting team infield 20-10 minutes prior to game time
    e. The last 10 minutes shall be allotted for field preparation
Section E - Entry Fee/Seeding
The entry fee for the Region XIX Tournament will be $450.00 (includes the cost of baseballs). This fee will apply to all entrants. Colleges must submit to the Region Tournament Director on the preceding day of the seeding meeting a listing of completed games in regional divisional play with the date, opponent, score, outcome and region divisional record as well as any remaining regional divisional games to be played with dates. Non compliance could result in being seeded last and/or other sanctions.

 

Baseballs must meet the stipulations described in the NCAA Baseball Rules Book.
Section F - Awards
  1. The host college will provide:
      a. A championship trophy
      b. A runner-up trophy
      c. An MVP award.
  2. The MVP award shall be chosen by a three (3) person committee. Whenever possible they shall include:
      a. Tournament Director
      b. Baseball Committee Chairperson
      c. Local Sports Writer
  3. The coach of the winning team will be named Region XIX Coach of the Year and receive an appropriate certificate.

 

Section G - All Region Team
  1. The following numbers of teams are required for selection of a 1st, 2nd and Honorable Mention team. 4 teams or less = 1 team, 5-10 teams = 2 teams, 11+ teams = 3 teams. Each team shall consist of twelve players. Each team will be comprised of four infielders, three outfielders, three pitchers, one catcher, and one designated hitter.
  2. By Division, Coaches may nominate up to eight of their best players by e-mail and fax to the Baseball Service Bureau Directors at a date and time specified by him/her. This will include all statistical information deemed necessary. A Designated Hitter must have a minimum of fifty plate appearances.
  3. The Service Bureau Directors will send a master list of nominees and their statistical data to all Region XIX baseball coaches in their division.
  4. Region XIX Coaches will vote via e-mail and fax to the Service Bureau Director. All Region XIX Athletic Directors must review the ballot for fairness and sign the ballot. The coaches may not vote for their own players. Coaches not voting will have their players removed from this process. Coaches will vote in rank order for five players at each position, #1 being the best, for the following positions on the ballot: Infielders, Outfielders, Pitchers, Catchers, and Designated Hitters. From their top selections the coaches will also vote for the "five best players". The Service Bureau Director will apply point totals to the votes (5 points for a #1 ranking, 4 points for #2 etc.) and select the 1st and second all region teams. Ties will be broken by most number one votes then most number 2 votes etc.
  5. The top five vote getters from the "five best player" pool will be announced with the top vote getter receiving the Region XIX Player of the Year Award.

 

Section H - Ejection
  1. If a coach is ejected from a Region XIX contest and there is no college approved representative designated by the Athletic Director present, then the game is terminated and forfeited at that point. Also the coach must sit the next scheduled contest. If the ejection occurs in the last game of the season the ejection will carry into the following year.
  2. An athlete ejected from any Region XIX contest for any reason must sit the next game. If the ejection occurs in the last game of the season and/or playoff game the suspension will carry into the following season of eligibility used in this sport.
  3. Any player ejected for fighting or violent act, will sit the next 2 contests. If the ejection occurs in the last game of the season and/or playoff game the suspension will carry into the following season of eligibility used in this sport. A second ejection for fighting in a season will result in that player suspended from competition in that sport for the remainder of the season.  Reminder: NJCAA and NCAA rules may impose more severe penalties. Region XIX will impose the most severe allowable  penalty.
  4. In the event of any ejection, an ejection report must be filed with the Region Director. The AD's of both colleges should file the appropriate NJCAA form to the Region Director.
Section I - Open Wound Statement
Under circumstances when constant or profuse bleeding occurs, the participant shall be immediately removed from that contest by the coach or official and cannot return until the bleeding has been stopped.

 

 

Section J - Tobacco Use/Abuse

The use of all tobacco products by any coach, player, official, or other individual involved in the conducting of any NJCAA sanctioned or sponsored regular season or post season play is prohibited within the confines of the playing area. Any individual not in compliance shall be disqualified from further participation in that contest. Reminder: NJCAA and NCAA rules may impose more severe penalties. Region XIX will impose the most severe allowable  penalty.

Approved: 10/17/08
Last Revised: 5/13/10